Tim Burton and Monica Bellucci have called it quits after two years of dating, announcing the separation in a joint statement to Agence France-Presse on Friday. The note described the split as occurring with “much respect and deep care for each other.”
The couple went public with their romance in 2023, after a period of speculation about their relationship. Bellucci publicly confirmed the union in 2023 during an interview with Elle France, saying she was glad to have met the director and expressing affection for him. “What I can say … I’m glad I met the man, first of all,” she told the magazine at the time. “It’s one of those encounters that rarely happens in life … I know the man, I love him, and now I’m going to meet the director, another adventure begins. I love Tim. And I have great respect for Tim Burton.” Burton’s collaboration with Bellucci soon followed, with Bellucci cast as Dolores LaFerve in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
The pair had long been friends before dating, and their relationship reportedly deepened after Bellucci presented Burton with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon, France, in October 2022. Burton, known for his work in blockbuster and gothic fantasy cinema, later cast Bellucci in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, reinforcing the public-facing arc of their professional and personal collaboration. An earlier note from the reporting around their partnership highlighted Bellucci’s connection to the project and Burton’s ongoing collaboration with her in a film role befitting his distinctive aesthetic.
In tracing possible context for the breakup, observers noted Burton’s high-profile professional past, including a long-term collaboration with Helena Bonham Carter. Burton and Bonham Carter, who worked together on multiple projects including Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, separated in 2014 after 13 years together. The two — who share young children from their relationship — had remained influential figures in Burton’s production and storytelling world. The current statement did not specify reasons for the split, and Page Six reported that the publication had reached out for comment.
Bellucci’s personal history includes a lengthy partnership with Vincent Cassel. The two were married for years before separating in 2013; they share two daughters, Deva and Léonie. In interviews surrounding her relationships, Bellucci has spoken about the complexities of divorce and parenting, noting that even when couples part ways, families and the relationships with children can evolve in meaningful ways. The couple’s representatives did not provide additional details beyond the joint AFP statement.
As the entertainment world digests the news, observers note the enduring appeal of both individuals within the film community. Burton, who has become synonymous with a distinctive cinematic universe, continues to influence artists and audiences with his imaginative work. Bellucci, who has long been esteemed for her work across European and American cinema, remains a principal figure in fashioning roles that cross languages and genres. Page Six confirmed the breakup through its reporting channels, and the AFP report served as the principal source for the couple’s formal statement. No further comments were immediately available from either side.
The breakup ends a public romance that began with public appearances and a professional alignment that saw Bellucci in a Burton project. While neither party has indicated any specific next steps, the joint statement emphasizes a continued respect and care between them. Fans will now watch to see how each career and personal life pivot in the months ahead, including any further collaborations or public appearances.